"We must be ready to dare all for our country. For history does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose." - President Eisenhower, First Inaugural Address

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Friday, September 01, 2006

The Houston Ship Channel is an important link to the world, as well as the home to a lot of U.S. refining capacity. It's security is important, as reported here. There are few problems, though-

The Port of Houston, which is the No. 2 port in the United States in terms of tonnage behind the Port of South Louisiana, has been awarded $31.5 million in federal security reimbursements. The port is home to a $15 billion petrochemical complex that is the nation's largest, and is comprised of the Port of Houston Authority and more than 150 private industrial companies lining the Houston Ship Channel.

"There's been a watershed change in the way that the security element has shifted from what used to be more of a theft deterrence to a terrorism deterrence mode. But there's so much more to be done," Ellis said.

A key post 9-11 concern has been getting biometric identity cards in place for workers that can be checked by uniform machines port to port so U.S. marine terminal authorities know who's on site. The cards, tested by the Transportation Security Administration, would be issued to workers who passed background checks and allow identities to be verified by matching physical characteristics such as fingerprints, handprints or eyescans to the card holder.

Ellis said port workers and others who need daily access to secure portions of ports should have the cards by year's end. But "we're still a ways away" from the additional step of having machines that would read the cards, he said.

"We're pleased that this system has made some progress, but it's still five years after the event and we don't have a credible system to identify transportation workers going in and out of the marine complex," Ellis said.

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EagleSpeak

About EagleSpeak

The main focus of this blog is maritime security. Other matters may appear. I am a retired attorney and a retired Navy Reserve Captain (Surface Warfare). Opinions expressed herein are my own. Sometimes I have the experience to back them up. Your opinions may vary. Don't panic. Feel free to disagree, that's what free speech is all about.
Nothing contained herein should be confused as me giving legal advice to anyone. If you are confused, welcome to the club. All mistakes herein are my fault. I have sufficient academic credentials to be dangerous to myself and to others.
Comment moderation is at my discretion, so your comments may never appear. You can start your own blog for free and comment there all you want. I enjoy a healthy debate, but not arguing with trolls. If you can't comment without using intemperate language, go someplace else., Under the header: USS Higgins (DDG 76) transits the Arabian Gulf alongside the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Anthony J. Rivera/Released)